This paper discusses the Doppler effect for radiation emitted by a relativistic oscillator in vacuum described geometrically as an ellipsoid in momentum space. Spectral and angular properties of the Doppler X-ray radiation emitted by a relativistic oscillator moving through a homogeneous medium are considered. Additionally, we show that radiation from an elementary relativistic charged particle interacting with periodic medium can be interpreted as a manifestation of the Doppler effect. Examples include parametric X-ray radiation, coherent bremsstrahlung, undulator radiation in crystalline or vacuum undulators, transition radiation from stacked foils, and Smith-Purcell radiation.

This paper discusses the Doppler effect for radiation emitted by a relativistic oscillator in vacuum described geometrically as an ellipsoid in momentum space. Spectral and angular properties of the Doppler X-ray radiation emitted by a relativistic oscillator moving through a homogeneous medium are considered. Additionally, we show that radiation from an elementary relativistic charged particle interacting with periodic medium can be interpreted as a manifestation of the Doppler effect. Examples include parametric X-ray radiation, coherent bremsstrahlung, undulator radiation in crystalline or vacuum undulators, transition radiation from stacked foils, and Smith-Purcell radiation.

The stability of a dark matter detector on the timescale of a few years is a key requirement due to the large exposure needed to achieve a competitive sensitivity. It is especially crucial to enable the detector to potentially detect any annual event rate modulation, an expected dark matter signature. In this work, we present the performance history of the DarkSide-50 dual-phase argon time projection chamber over its almost three-year low-radioactivity argon run. In particular, we focus on the electroluminescence signal that enables sensitivity to sub-keV energy depositions. The stability of the electroluminescence yield is found to be better than 0.5%. Finally, we show the temporal evolution of the observed event rate around the sub-keV region being consistent to the background prediction.

Dark matter induced event rate in an Earth-based detector is predicted to show an annual modulation as a result of the Earth's orbital motion around the Sun. We searched for this modulation signature using the ionization signal of the DarkSide-50 liquid argon time projection chamber. No significant signature compatible with dark matter is observed in the electron recoil equivalent energy range above $40~{\rm eV_{ee}}$, the lowest threshold ever achieved in such a search.

The set of frequencies and angular properties of radiation emitted from a solid-state crystalline undulator based on the channeling effect are considered. High-frequency and low-frequency branches of the undulator radiation and the angular distribution of the emitted radiation are analyzed. The ranges of frequencies and angles of radiation emitted from the solid-state crystalline undulator based on the channeling effect are found. The frequency splitting and the energy threshold in the production of undulator radiation are shown and discussed.

A new method for the experimental study of ionization loss of relativistic negatively charged particles moving in a crystal in the channeling regime using a semiconductor surface-barrier detector with smoothly tunable thickness of the depleted layer is proposed. The thickness of the depleted layer in a flat semiconductor detector can be smoothly regulated by the value of the bias voltage applied to the detector. Therefore, the energy distribution of the ionization loss of relativistic particles which cross the detector and move in the channeling regime in the detector crystal can be measured along the path of the particles by varying the bias voltage of the detector and the dechanneling length can be found. Available literature data on experimental and theoretical researches of the dechanneling length are reviewed. The significant disagreement between the experimental and theoretical data is noted. Comparison of experimental data obtained by the detector-target with smoothly tunable thickness of the depleted layer with calculations can help to develop theoretical description of the dynamics of motion of negatively charged particles channeling in a crystal. A better understanding of the dechanneling length properties can be useful in the production of positrons and other particles such as neutrons by an electron beam in crystals, as well as in the development of crystalline undulators, and in the crystal-based extraction of electron beams from a synchrotron.

We present a novel approach for the search of dark matter in the DarkSide-50 experiment, relying on Bayesian Networks. This method incorporates the detector response model into the likelihood function, explicitly maintaining the connection with the quantity of interest. No assumptions about the linearity of the problem or the shape of the probability distribution functions are required, and there is no need to morph signal and background spectra as a function of nuisance parameters. By expressing the problem in terms of Bayesian Networks, we have developed an inference algorithm based on a Markov Chain Monte Carlo to calculate the posterior probability. A clever description of the detector response model in terms of parametric matrices allows us to study the impact of systematic variations of any parameter on the final results. Our approach not only provides the desired information on the parameter of interest, but also potential constraints on the response model. Our results are consistent with recent published analyses and further refine the parameters of the detector response model.

Dark matter elastic scattering off nuclei can result in the excitation and ionization of the recoiling atom through the so-called Migdal effect. The energy deposition from the ionization electron adds to the energy deposited by the recoiling nuclear system and allows for the detection of interactions of sub-GeV/c^{2} mass dark matter. We present new constraints for sub-GeV/c^{2} dark matter using the dual-phase liquid argon time projection chamber of the DarkSide-50 experiment with an exposure of (12 306±184)  kg d. The analysis is based on the ionization signal alone and significantly enhances the sensitivity of DarkSide-50, enabling sensitivity to dark matter with masses down to 40  MeV/c^{2}. Furthermore, it sets the most stringent upper limit on the spin independent dark matter nucleon cross section for masses below 3.6  GeV/c^{2}.

The exact solution of the equation for the frequency of parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) of relativistic charged particles moving in a crystal is obtained and compared to the approximate solution. It is found that the exact solution is in good agreement with the approximate one and that the approximate PXR frequency solution is practically correct for a comparison to experimental data.

We present a search for dark matter particles with sub-GeV/c^{2} masses whose interactions have final state electrons using the DarkSide-50 experiment's (12 306±184)  kg d low-radioactivity liquid argon exposure. By analyzing the ionization signals, we exclude new parameter space for the dark matter-electron cross section σ[over ¯]_{e}, the axioelectric coupling constant g_{Ae}, and the dark photon kinetic mixing parameter κ. We also set the first dark matter direct-detection constraints on the mixing angle |U_{e4}|^{2} for keV/c^{2} sterile neutrinos.

Dark matter lighter than 10 GeV/c^2 encompasses a promising range of candidates. A conceptual design for a new detector, DarkSide-LowMass, is presented, based on the DarkSide-50 detector and progress toward DarkSide-20k, optimized for a low-threshold electron-counting measurement. Sensitivity to light dark matter is explored for various potential energy thresholds and background rates. These studies show that DarkSide-LowMass can achieve sensitivity to light dark matter down to the solar neutrino floor for GeV-scale masses and significant sensitivity down to 10 MeV/c^2 considering the Migdal effect or interactions with electrons. Requirements for optimizing the detector's sensitivity are explored, as are potential sensitivity gains from modeling and mitigating spurious electron backgrounds that may dominate the signal at the lowest energies.

This paper describes indicators that can be used to monitor the operating mode of a pyroelectric accelerator. It is shown that the ratio of the characteristic X-ray emission lines from the target and the vacuum chamber walls is very sensitive to the state of the accelerator. Also, the peak to total count rate ratio in the electron spectrum exhibits similar properties. These parameters change sharply ahead of the electric breakdown and are very sensitive to the residual gas pressure level. Monitoring these indicators during the accelerator operation provides a fine tool aiding the implementation of pyroelectric technology for stable and reliable charged particle generation and acceleration.

Deflection of a relativistic electron beam by means of the pyroelectric deflector is demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The operating principle of the pyroelectric deflector is based on the generation of a strong transverse electric field in a vacuum in the gap between a pair of pyroelectric crystals due to the pyroelectric effect. The experiments on observation of deflection of 7 MeV electron beam for 26 mrad in the transverse electric field with a strength of about 100 kV/cm arising at a variation of the temperature of a pair of pyroelectric crystals in vacuum are described. The possibility for application of the installed sequentially pyroelectric deflectors in pyroelectric undulator for production of undulator radiation by relativistic electron beam without any external high voltage power supply is discussed.

Research of the ionization loss of 50 GeV protons, the path of which in the depleted layer of the silicon detector was smoothly regulated in the range from 0.3 to 10 mm, is presented. In the experiment, we used a flat silicon detector with a fixed thickness of the depleted layer of 300 μm. The smooth regulation of the path was realized due to the variation of the angle between the surface of the detector and the incident proton beam. The comparison of experimental data and theoretical calculations of the ionization loss demonstrates agreement in all range of thicknesses. Results of the research can be used in order to control the angle between the surface of the detector and the incident beam of relativistic particles. Besides, the results can be used in the analysis of data from astrophysical silicon detectors of charged particles if high-energy particles crossed flat detectors at arbitrary angle.

Finding unequivocal evidence of dark matter interactions in a particle detector is a major objective of physics research. Liquid argon time projection chambers offer a path to probe Weakly Interacting Massive Particles scattering cross sections on nucleus down to the so-called neutrino floor, in a mass range from few GeV's to hundredths of TeV's. Based on the successful operation of the DarkSide-50 detector at LNGS, a new and more sensitive experiment, DarkSide-20k, has been designed and is now under construction. A thorough understanding of the DarkSide-50 detector response and, therefore, of all kind of observed events, is essential for an optimal design of the new experiment. In this paper, we report on a particular set of events, which were not used for dark matter searches. Namely, standard two-pulse scintillation-ionization signals accompanied by a small amplitude third pulse, originating from single or few electrons, in a time window of less than a maximum drift time. We compare our findings to those of a recent paper of the LUX Collaboration (D.S.Akerib et al. Phys.Rev.D 102, 092004). Indeed, both experiments observe events related to photoionization of the cathode. From the measured rate of these events, we estimate for the first time the quantum efficiency of the tetraphenyl butadiene deposited on the DarkSide-50 cathode at wavelengths around 128 nm, in liquid argon. Also, both experiments observe events likely related to photoionization of impurities in the liquid. The probability of photoelectron emission per unit length turns out to be one order of magnitude smaller in DarkSide-50 than in LUX. This result, together with the much larger measured electron lifetime, coherently hints toward a lower concentration of contaminants in DarkSide-50 than in LUX.

DarkSide-50 has demonstrated the high potential of dual-phase liquid argon time projection chambers in exploring interactions of WIMPs in the GeV/c(2) mass range. The technique, based on the detection of the ionization signal amplified via electroluminescence in the gas phase, allows us to explore recoil energies down to the sub-keV range. We report here on the DarkSide-50 measurement of the ionization yield of electronic recoils down to similar to 180 eV(er), exploiting Ar-37 and Ar-39 decays, and extrapolated to a few ionization electrons with the Thomas-Imel box model. Moreover, we present a model-dependent determination of the ionization response to nuclear recoils down to similar to 500 eV(nr), the lowest ever achieved in liquid argon, using in situ neutron calibration sources and external datasets from neutron beam experiments.

The K-shell ionization cross sections of titanium and copper atoms were determined by analyzing the spectra of characteristic X-ray radiation generated by an electron beam with energies of 1 and 2 GeV in metal foils. New data obtained for these energies demonstrate the influence of the density effect on the ionization cross sections values. The results were compared with previous experimental data and calculations based on pure theoretical and semi-empirical models.

The article is devoted to investigation of ion generation by tungsten filament in vacuum. Electron and ion currents from tungsten filament at different residual air gas pressures are measured and compared. Dependencies of ion and electron currents from tungsten filament on its supply voltage are measured. Production of ions in the vicinity of the filament is discussed. Prospects of tungsten filament’s application in pyroelectric and piezoelectric pulsed accelerators are discussed.

AbstractAria is a plant hosting a$${350}\,\hbox {m}$$350mcryogenic isotopic distillation column, the tallest ever built, which is being installed in a mine shaft at Carbosulcis S.p.A., Nuraxi-Figus (SU), Italy. Aria is one of the pillars of the argon dark-matter search experimental program, lead by the Global Argon Dark Matter Collaboration. It was designed to reduce the isotopic abundance of$${^{39}\hbox {Ar}}$$39Arin argon extracted from underground sources, called Underground Argon (UAr), which is used for dark-matter searches. Indeed,$${^{39}\hbox {Ar}}$$39Aris a$$\beta $$β-emitter of cosmogenic origin, whose activity poses background and pile-up concerns in the detectors. In this paper, we discuss the requirements, design, construction, tests, and projected performance of the plant for the isotopic cryogenic distillation of argon. We also present the successful results of the isotopic cryogenic distillation of nitrogen with a prototype plant.